A huge welcome to the Salop Motor Club website and to the ancestral home of
British moto-x, namely Hawkstone Park. 2008 will see the club celebrate its 81st
anniversary by running the tenth successive International meeting, marking yet
another landmark in its well documented heritage.
Whilst the new season will no doubt add another chapter, 2007 was another great
year for the club and its famous sandy venue, with a series of successful events
maintaining the rich history of one of the World’s best-known moto-x circuits.
The season began with a bang, with the ninth edition of the now well-established
Hawkstone International meeting kicking off the action out on the track. Despite
the best efforts of the British weather, several thousand loyal race fans once
again turned out to witness the first showing of the World’s best riders in
their new colours.
Taking over from his legendary compatriots Smets and Everts, Belgian rider Kevin
Strijbos on board his factory Suzuki dominated the MX1 class with two strong
race wins for a convincing overall victory. Whilst in the MX2 it was South
African born Tyla Rattray – KTM who recorded an equally stunning performance
with a 1 -1 result to take the top honours in the small division.
Against a backdrop of slightly better weather, the AMCA hosted a British
championship meeting in early April, before the club ran it’s own two day event
in May to bring a close to a wet Spring season. June saw the rugged Shropshire
hillside welcome a round of the British Masters series ahead of the classic two
day trial and scramble in mid July.
After three highly successful editions, World trials bid a final farewell to
Hawkstone Park at the end of July, having fulfilled its three year agreement
with the ACU / FIM. Riders and fans alike will sadly miss the steep wooded
hillside from the World trials calendar, having delivered an atmosphere and
occasion like no other on the tour.
Unfortunately continuous heavy rain throughout the Summer months that brought
severe flooding to other parts of the region prevented the final two meetings of
the year taking place.
Hawkstone Park remains and always has been a special place, with great memories
for those that have witnessed the many great sporting occasions that have taken
place over several decades. Salop Motor Club would like to thank all the
organisations, clubs, officials and other individuals that have played their
part in helping create the history of Hawkstone Park.
As with every season, we wish the best of luck to all you competitors, male or
female, from the youngest schoolboy to the oldest pensioner.
Good Luck and thank you - we hope to see you at Hawkstone at some stage during
2008.
|
|